Now that I’ve literally had a night’s sleep over Governor Palin’s decision not to seek the 2012 GOP presidential nomination, I’ve had time to reflect on two of the themes she has given regarding her decision.

Family First

As always, my family comes first and obviously Todd and I put great consideration into family life before making this decision. When we serve, we devote ourselves to God, family and country. My decision maintains this order.

Recall another time and another election in which Sarah Palin put her family first.

2004 Alaska Senate

Lisa Murkowski had served the last two years of her father’s senatorial term after being appointed by him in a dog-and-pony show that included Sarah as one of his final five candidates to replace himself. That was in 2002. The same year Palin had lost the lieutenant governor race by only a couple of percentage points.

She seriously considered taking on Daughter Murkowski in 2004, who was still not popular with Alaskans because of the blatant nepotism.

Sarah was in a GREAT position to win that seat – when you combined her new state profile from the lieutenant governor’s race against Murky’s low popularity from the appointment.

Sarah asked the family, and Track, who was still playing high school hockey, was a NO.

So Sarah didn’t run. And instead became a hockey mom, the manager and treasurer of her son’s hockey team.

Folks, those are times – with her son and his hockey team – that she would have missed if she’d run for Senator at that time. And she’d never have an opportunity to get them back.

But what happened?

Dad Murky was an AWFUL governor whose one good decision was to appoint Sarah as AOGCC commissioner. And she called out his corruption in not dealing with Ruedrich’s unethical behavior. By resigning.

And she was able to win the governorship in 2006.

All this happened after she made the RIGHT call to put her son first in the 2004 election.

Perhaps now she’s doing the same for Trig?

Last night when talking about Steve Jobs, Sarah said her youngest son doesn’t talk and communicates with sign language and loves his Ipad. My niece was born in April 2008, just like Trig, and she talks up a storm, knows her alphabet, can count to 30, can write her name.

I’m just saying, if you know Sarah’s history, she has put her kids first before.

2004

2012

So this is not something new or out of character for Sarah Palin.

Family First.

Nor is it necessarily the end of her time in political office. See what happened after she put Family First in 2004.

“We the People”

Secondly, Palin wrote about us, we the people, and what we have accomplished and still need to accomplish, by working together.

My decision is based upon a review of what common sense Conservatives and Independents have accomplished, especially over the last year. I believe that at this time I can be more effective in a decisive role to help elect other true public servants to office – from the nation’s governors to Congressional seats and the Presidency. We need to continue to actively and aggressively help those who will stop the “fundamental transformation” of our nation and instead seek the restoration of our greatness, our goodness and our constitutional republic based on the rule of law …

In the coming weeks I will help coordinate strategies to assist in replacing the President, re-taking the Senate, and maintaining the House.

Thank you again for all your support. Let’s unite to restore this country!

God bless America.

- Sarah Palin

In her interviews with Mark Levin,Greta Van Susteren, and Bob and Mark, she reiterates that we need to shore up the House, take back the Senate and the White House, and governorships across the nation. And remember after the 2010 success, she said that it was just the beginning. This is a muli-election process.

What her collective statements say to me is that she’s not giving up on breaking the “permanent political class,” but she thinks she can do that best on the outside at this time.

My opinion is that she thinks we need more constitutional conservatives elected to increase the power base of citizens serving for the right reasons in order to push out the permanent political class. There are still too many entrenched Establishment folks to be successful this iteration. So she’s again focusing on the House and Senate.

We’ve seen how hard the Establishment pushed back on the tea party-elected freshman on the budget. And again on the debt ceiling. We simply need more bodies in DC.

Palin talked a few times in the past 24 hours about each of us “finding the exact role” we need to play to be the most effective. SarahPac in 2010 was VERY effective. Let’s help her continue to be effective in 2012 to increase the number of constitutional conservatives in the House, take back the Senate and the White House, and governorships.

At any rate, I intend to continue to support the Governor, because I believe in what she believes in, and I admire her fighting spirit.

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This is an excellent post and provides such good history and perspective!! Thanks, hrh!

http://www.facebook.com/people/John-Norton/100002228997007 John Norton

Right on Niki ,Allways knew you were true blue…

ZH100

Excellent post!

NoMoreMeh

hrh40, this post is so exactly spot on that I have nothing more to say than that!

Except maybe, Game On!

puba1800

This is the best analysis of Gov Palin decision that I read and heard. I would like to add some more points to your good analysis. Gov Palin has stated that her number 1 priority was to replace Obama. That was not the priority of the Republican ruling class. They would rather see Obama elected again that see an unshackle Gov Palin in the White House.

I think their conversation was interesting. I got the since during the Greta interview that something has changed.

I just think what change for her was the incident with Bristol at the West Hollywood Bar. I know I’m projecting, but I was horrified by that incident. I hated that no one helped Bristol. Those people stood their filming, but no on protected her.

The hate projected at her was frightening, and then the reaction of the media to attempt to blame Bristol. Sarah had to see that no one else would protect her family. Those sick evil people so filled with hate are so free to behave anyway they want to behave. I cannot imagine that their whole family was not shaken by the incident.

I think based on what Chuck Heath Jr., said Jedidiah and Tammy are wrong. Sarah had not made up her mind weeks before. I think she was still wanting to go ahead, but I bet the incident weighted on her.

“I would like to personally thank all of you who have worked so hard and really thrown your hearts into supporting Sarah. I, like many of you, was really disappointed in her decision but I completely understand it. I don’t think there are many people out there who could begin to understand the scrutiny her family has been under. As for you who think that Sarah strung you along; as late as last week, right after I interviewed with Steve Bannon, I talked with Sarah and she was still pushing hard and contemplating a run. After a lot of prayers, and finally, through respect for her own family’s wishes, she chose to wait this one out.

Be assured that Sarah’s not done. She will continue to be a force in the political world and I’m sure she’ll be holding whoever’s elected in any important upcoming elections accountable for their actions. In my opinion, I believe she’ll arise again even stronger than before.

Please try to respect her decision, and once again, thank you so much for the support you’ve shown her.

Sincerely,
Chuck Heath, Jr.
Sarah’s brother “

NoMoreMeh

Thanks for that link, hrh40. Sarah and her family have gone through hell the past several years. I cannot even imagine what it’s been like for them.

I had a question- regarding the pin Sarah wore on her collar on Greta’s show last evening: does anyone know what that pin was? It looked like an angel to me, but it was hard for me to tell, really.

This is the fighter Palin we all have grown to respect and love. Right now, its Family First and her priorities are straight, but it doesn’t mean that she will not be active and carry a large nightstick.

Someday, if the timing is better and the family is okay with it, I hope she does through her hat in the ring because she will still have a huge base of support that will always have her back.

mistah charley

we all have to accept things we cannot change

Riley4Palin

hrh:

This was one of the best posts I ever read on any political blog. You took the time to put together the thought process of the Palin family when making life-altering decisions.

I don’t tweet or anything like that, but I hope it gets re-tweeted a zillion times in all 57 states.

Thanks for your efforts!

hrh40

Amjean

Good point.

Amjean

What do you think SarahPac is going to do with all the money they received from their
“heartfelt” appeal for more funds a couple of weeks ago – you know, right before Palin
announced she is not running?

cookboy

Geez, maybe support the candidacies of constitutional conservative candidates for house, senate, and governorships, just as the pac was designed for.

Amjean

You missed the point. There is noone currently running that SarahPac is supporting.
Why the pleading for funds?

Penny

“Why the pleading for funds?”

My guess: part of accessing the degree of her support.

cookboy

There’s that, and of course having the jingle when ya need it is good.

Read her brother’s comment. Even last week, she had not yet made her decision.

Amjean

I don’t necessarily believe her brother. Why is he out there doing “damage control”?

Its not that she decided not to run, it is the way she handled the whole mess that
just “sticks in my craw” as my grandmother used to say.

Palin was very careless with other people’s time and money. That smacks of arrogance.

mistah charley

some people who put Palin on a pedestal are particularly disappointed with her. that’s understandable – but look at how disappointed some of the Obama people are now. face the facts – its not going to get any better. get used to it. after a while it will be over. have a little fun when you can, don’t complain, don’t think too much. people who seem like they are happy are just better at pretending than you or i are.

Bill589

That is not true. She is considerate of other people, especially with their time and money.

The was a hard decision for her I’m sure. Many other times, people thought she made a wrong decision, and they were wrong, Sarah was right.

I think we won’t know until we see how this unfolds.
Either way, don’t pre-judge her. She has never been arrogant.

Amjean

I am not suggesting anything. I find it curious that a week or two before Palin announced
she was not running there was this big push for cash. Predictably, many of her supporters
emptied their pocketbooks and wallets. Why the push then? What are the funds going
to be used for? Palin’s travel expenses when she stumps for candidates? Which candidates?
Which election? State, county, national? Lets just say I am curious.

Bill589

She supports other candidates.

Amjean

Again, which ones at this time of year?

Bill589

Amjean,
You sure have enough time to repeat your question.
Why don’t you spend some time doing research on the matter?

For me, I know Sarah will now, or eventually, use the money to further our cause of restoring our great country. She has earned trust – very, very rare for a politician.

RefudiateGOPe

It will be used for what it was intended to be used for. SarahPac funds couldn’t be used for a presidential run. It was SarahPac funds that helped the GOP be successful in 2010, or have you forgotten.

Amjean

You also missed the point. Of course, I know what the funds are used for. Are you
insinuating that I don’t? There is noone running that SarahPac is currently supporting.
2012 campaigns for senate/house are months away. Why the pleading for funds
right before she is due to make “her decision”?

RefudiateGOPe

There are currently a number of off-year elections going on right now. For instance, here in Kentucky, we have a gubernatorial race going on right now. Also, there are many candidates across the nation who have declared to run in May primaries in many states.

Amjean

And, specifically, whom is Palin backing with her SarahPac contributions?

mistah charley

are you suggesting that the SarahPac people took advantage of the contributors?

Amjean

Lets just say we have a difference of opinion and leave it at that.

My grandmother always says, “Actions speak louder than words”.

RefudiateGOPe

I’m disappointed that you have chosen to lash out at Sarah across all the message boards you visit. Sarah made no promises to us. So you, not knowing any of the factors leading to her decision, have decided to blast a lady who just yesterday you supported. That tells me a lot about your character. I know you’re a young college student, but you need to learn that we don’t always get what we want, especially when other people’s lives are involved.

NOTE: I came back to edit this because I thought my words were a little harsh. I decided not to change it because just as you are angry with Sarah, I’m angry with those of you who have seemed to place your wants ahead of Sarah’s needs. If you supported what Sarah stood for yesterday, you should support what she stands for today. In a tweet earlier today, Firelight wrote: Palin isn’t anyone’s cheerleader. Palin is our new coach. Eat your heart out Karl Rove. Palin is the new Architect in town. Watch & learn.

Jasmine, you need to accept that Sarah has decided how best to accomplish what she thinks needs to be accomplished. For your own inner peace, you need to accept that. Bitterness is an acid that destroys from within.

http://www.twitter.com/whitneypitcher Whitney Pitcher

That was wonderful, HRH. Thank you!

http://www.twitter.com/whitneypitcher Whitney Pitcher

I haven’t watched the Greta interview or listened to the Bob and Mark or Hannity interviews, but from everything I’ve gathered from others’ comments, this was a recent decision. To me, it seemed she was “go” for a run, but something happened that caused her family to change their minds.

To be honest, their family’s been through hell, and I don’t blame them for deciding to “sit this one out”. Governor Palin was always forthcoming about how she had yet to make a decision. While there were indications that she might run, in retrospect there were indications she wouldn’t as well.

I don’t complete understand the roll out of this decision, but that’s OK. I don’t have to. It is disappointing for our country, but I respect her decision.

Bean Counter

Outstanding. Swelling is beginning to go down. Reaching for the ammo. Let’s reload.

inde4sarah

You Go Girl… )

Bean Counter

Grab it and growl, brother!

inde4sarah

hrh, Excellent Post …. and thanks for all the links….

hrh40

Glad I could help, folks. Love hearing from you today, too.

bestbud4Palin

Thanks HRH
Encouraging and most thoughtful post. Agree whole heartedly and I’m on board with you in continuing supporting Gov Palin and THE CAUSE, if I may call it that.
She still needs us and we definitely NEED her!
God Bless You and thanks again for all you do.

Tlibo77

On point, thanks for keeping us focused.

Gelston

Sarah has to be proud of supporters like you.
May God bless all of you

mistah charley

the younger children, in particular, might have found a presidential campaign VERY difficult – we saw some hints of that with Piper on the bus tour.